Carry On!
It seems that more and more people are feeling the collective and draining weight of COVID-19, partisan politics, cancel culture, civil unrest, and fill in the blank for yourself. Our society is rapidly changing and for us as believers, it’s not leaning our way. It’s hard to watch things fall apart, people fight, and once good societal values turn inside out right before our very eyes.
All this wearies us, drains us, and can frustrate us. We can begin to feel like we're losing, and wonder if anyone really cares, and where all this is headed.
While none of this is enjoyable, God always knows what we are experiencing and He’s prepared us for any and every circumstance. Read the following Scriptures and let them renew your perspective, fill your tank, and encourage you to keep your eye on the spiritual ball.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God."
Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Galatians 6:9: “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
Hebrews 12:3: “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Romans 12:12: “Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.”
Romans 15:4: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
James 1:12: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Did you notice these common themes? “Do not lose heart," “don’t grow weary,” “persevere.” All these can be practiced because 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Our adequacy is from God."
Listen to this song “Though You Slay Me” by Shane & Shane, with a word from John Piper, and let it deepen your resolve.
Carrying on by the Spirit with you,
Pastor Jeff